Growth of the October 1 dome appears to be continuing and there is a distinct area of activity on its northern face. Seismic activity is still at a high level, with 8 hour cycles of continuous tremor. There are real dangers of bigger pyroclastic flows into the Tar River valley and of sudden collapses from the Galway's Wall. Both could have serious consequences for much of the evacuated area, although it is more likely that any activity would be confined to the Tar River and White River valleys. Depending on the wind direction, there may be some ashfall in areas to the west or northwest of the volcano.
There is still no access to zone A/B. Restricted access is allowed by the authorities to zone C/D, but only for essential purposes and by people with a means of rapid exit. Zones E, F and G have normal occupation.
Rockfall activity from the October 1 dome continued today. Rockfalls are occurring from many parts of the dome and have generated small ash clouds which drifted to the west. There appears to be some uplift on the northern flank of the October 1 dome, perhaps due to an injection of fresh lava.
Seismic activity has stayed at a high level, with hybrid events and continuous tremor dominating the records. The peaks in the tremor are occurring at approximately 8-hour intervals. The increasing trend in the amount of seismic energy in these peaks did not continue today, and the sizes of the three peaks today were about the same as the last one yesterday. Rockfall activity from the dome appears to show some correlation with the peaks in the tremor.
MVO would like to wish everyone on Montserrat, and all Montserratians overseas, a very Merry Christmas.